Infiorata of Noto 2024: Theme, Dates, and Program

The traditional Infiorata of Noto returns for its 45th edition from May 17 to May 21 in the capital of Baroque.

Since 1980, Noto, in the province of Syracuse, has been flooded with sounds, colors, and flowers during this traditional event.

Since then, every year during the third week of May, Via Nicolaci in Noto is transformed into a long and colorful carpet of flowers to greet the spring.

The theme of the Infiorata changes every year. For example, the theme chosen for the Infiorata of Noto 2018 was "China in Bloom: The Silk Roads", while the theme for the 2019 Infiorata was "Vieni ca ti cuntu - Stories of Sicilians in America", and the theme for the latest edition celebrated the 20th anniversary of Noto being inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

For the 2023 edition, the theme chosen is "Tribute to Giacomo Puccini in His Centennial". Visitors will be able to admire unique and spectacular floral creations inspired by the musical works of Giacomo Puccini. The colors and shapes of the flowers will blend to recreate the emotions and atmospheres of the Master's famous compositions.

At the beginning of the week, artists start by sketching their designs in chalk on a paving area of 7 x 4 meters.

However, the official inauguration of the Infiorata of Noto usually takes place on Friday. From that moment on, the initially drawn outlines begin to be filled with color in front of curious tourists and passersby, by the floral artists.

The artists dedicate themselves continuously to creating their floral carpets until completion.

Thus, in many cases, they work until late at night or until the following morning. By Saturday morning, the flower artwork is ready to be visited.

Tradition holds that the first panel, starting from which the long carpet of flowers in Via Nicolaci extends, is reserved for the city's coat of arms, created by the students of the Artistic High School "Matteo Raeli" in Noto.

Another highlight of the event is on Sunday when the Baroque Procession parades from Piazza Mazzini to cross the historic center. This is a parade of about 200 people dressed in the traditional attire of nobles, with the heraldic emblems of the most important families of the 1700s, along with ladies, knights, monsignors, and townsfolk.

With them, the Flag-Throwing Association of the City of Noto also parades through the streets to reach the historic center for a highly anticipated performance.

Via Nicolaci, the Baroque street that gently ascends to the sky, welcomes a flower carpet 122 meters long and 7 meters wide, covering a total area of about 700 square meters filled with countless flowers.

In total, 400,000 flowers are needed to carpet the street. They come partially from the Val di Noto and are mostly chrysanthemums, gerberas, carnations, daisies, roses, and wildflowers typical of May.

Additionally, the floral artists often use fennel, mastic, twigs, leaves and stems, bran, rice, peat, legumes, carob, and black coffee tuff to enhance their compositions.

During the Infiorata, the three staircases connecting the lower part with the upper part of Noto are also decorated.

These true works of art remain accessible until the next edition of the Infiorata. Throughout May, the city offers guests a rich program of cultural events and performances, peaking in the week leading up to the Infiorata and extending until the following week.

The Infiorata will be set up on Friday, May 17.

It will be open for viewing from 9 AM on Saturday, May 18, until Tuesday, May 21. The entrance ticket costs € 3.50, while for students of all levels it is € 2.50.